Deaths from ischemic disease, anthropometry and cardiac biometry

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Forensic Pathology
• Public Health

Background:

• The relationship between obesity (body mass index, BMI) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains incompletely understood, particularly from postmortem data.
• Previous studies have primarily relied on non-postmortem data, necessitating further investigation using necropsy findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between anthropometric measurements and cardiac pathology in individuals deceased from ischemic heart disease.
• To analyze necropsy data to establish relationships between body composition, heart morphology, and ischemic heart disease.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of necropsy records from 2002-2003 in Porto, focusing on cases with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction or chronic ischemic heart disease.
• Data collected included anthropometric measurements (BMI, weight, height) and macroscopic cardiac examination (left ventricular thickness, cardiac weight).
• Statistical analyses employed included Pearson's correlation, chi-square tests, and stepwise multiple regression.

Main Results:

• The study included 231 cases, predominantly male (75.3%).
• Significant positive correlations were observed between cardiac weight and body weight, height, BMI, and LVH. Negative correlations were found between age, body weight, height, BMI, and LVH.
• Body weight and age were identified as key predictors of heart weight, accounting for 12.1% and an additional 3.3% respectively.

Conclusions:

• Postmortem examination provides objective evidence linking higher BMI, body weight, LVH, and cardiac weight to IHD.
• Gender differences in these correlations warrant consideration in clinical and public health strategies.
• Effective management of overweight and obesity is crucial for the prevention of ischemic heart disease.